Speculation that fullback James Tedesco will be rested for the round-opening NRL blockbuster against South Sydney has been shut down by an incredulous Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
After clearing halfback Cooper Cronk and captain Boyd Cordner of injury, Robinson appeared surprised by talk that he would sideline gun No.1 Tedesco ahead of the finals despite the Roosters having already locked up No.2 spot on the ladder.
“Really? OK,” Robinson said when told of the Tedesco rumours.
“To be honest I didn’t know there was any speculation about that.”
Rumours were so strong that Tedesco would be replaced at fullback by Joseph Manu that Roosters great Anthony Minichiello slammed the plan, telling News Corp the plan was “madness”.
But Robinson was adamant anyone who was fit would run out against the fourth-placed Rabbitohs as they vie for an eighth straight win.
“I am not resting guys,” he said of Tedesco, who leads the NRL in line breaks (24), run metres (187 per game) and tackle busts (115).
“I think it is important to get consistency going (ahead of the finals) – the only game that counts for us is tomorrow night.”
Robinson also dismissed any fears for Cronk (eye) and Cordner (calf).
Cronk returns after missing last round’s win over Penrith due to a bizarre injury, copping a stray book to his eye while reading to his one-year-old son.
The Roosters will finish second regardless of the result, meaning they have finished in the top two in six of seven seasons under Robinson.
But Robinson said there would be no complacency, especially against a Rabbitohs side that knocked them over 26-16 in the first round.
“You are pulling on a Roosters jersey. That’s the importance and you want to continue to play the way you want to play,” he said.
“You want to respect the jersey that we pull on – every game counts.”
South Sydney are also not short of motivation.
They can finish as high as third or as low as fifth ahead of the finals but appear full of confidence after winning two straight after losing seven of 10 games.
“Our position on the table shows that we can be a threat in the finals – no one has completely dominated us,” Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said.
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Roosters have won five of the past seven games against the Rabbitohs
* The Rabbitohs concede the equal fewest penalties (5.6pg) along with North Queensland yet earn the equal second most (7.3pg)
* The Roosters have the second worst completion rate in the NRL (73 per cent)
